Joshua 1:9
I’ve commanded you to be strong and
brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I
will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last
Christmas, I found a recipe for Cashew Brittle…a salty/sweet concoction
of caramelized sugar and cashews. I made several batches and shared
with friends and family…but I have to say, I ate my fair share! I
wasn’t even a fan of cashews…until they were combined with this crunchy
sweetness. Then I could NOT stay away from the candy jar. I knew that I
should pace myself…that I needed to exercise will power and resolve and
stay away from that delicious concoction. Hey, I knew better than to
make it in the first place! But I simply could not control myself…or
maybe I allowed myself to be controlled by the thought – and taste – of
that delicious treat. If you have ever said to yourself or someone
else, “I won’t rest until I’ve eaten the whole thing!”…you know exactly
what I mean.
We do this very thing with our worries and fears. We say
we are going to give them to God. And sometimes, we do let God handle
these things – for a little while. But in the back of our mind, the
devil is saying, “You better pick those back up and fiddle with them for
a while longer. What if this? What about that? You should be
concerned!” Essentially, we are encouraged to return to the “Worry
Candy Jar” - and keep going back as the “weight” of our troubles mounts.
This
scripture from Joshua is incredibly powerful and profound. In these
words, we pretty well have a sum total of what it means to live and
breathe in Christian faith. We have the perfect recipe for how to walk
in peace and confidence with God. “…be strong and brave. Don’t
ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be
there to help you wherever you go.”
Today, let’s make a
concerted effort to “let go and let God” – in every situation. Let God
handle your worries and fears. Let God heal you and give you peace.
Let God comfort you in grief and encourage you in challenges and
stressful situations. Let God be God and do the heavy lifting.
Be strong and brave – and confident that He is in complete and perfect
control. And stay away from that “candy jar” of worries and lies from
the devil.
I cannot promise that I won’t make Cashew Brittle
this year…or something equally delectable and tempting. But I am
trusting God to give me strength and will power to manage even this
enticement in my life. With God, ALL things are possible…even the
ability to “just say no!” during the holidays! Are you ready to let Him
have complete control of your worries, fears and temptations? Don’t
you think it’s time you were?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label bravery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bravery. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 9, 2013
Joshua 1:9
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I made superhero capes and masks for my nephew, Timothy, and our cousin, Owen… both boys are three and a half. You know how this goes… when the superhero dons his/her costume, they are equipped with powers and strengths beyond any human capacity. Evil villains can be conquered… there is no challenge or problem too big – no force too formidable to be overcome. When Timmy and Owen put on their capes and “fly” around the room, they feel invincible. They have no fear… discouragement is not in their vocabularies.
None of us are superheroes… but all of us can wear the cape and mask! We can “put on the full armor of God” and feel His continual presence. We can call on His help in any and all situations. We can be brave and strong, because our strength comes from the LORD. We don’t have to be afraid or discouraged about a single thing.
Please don’t misunderstand me… if something has you worried, frustrated or frightened today, this does not mean you have no faith. If you are discouraged, you are not a bad person. This simply means you are human – and the devil is working hard to pull you over to his side. Call on God to give you superhuman strength. Believe that HE can make the difference… trust Him to help you work through whatever issues you face with courage and hope. Believe that God can – and will – make the difference!
Too many of us know deep in our hearts that God can help us with anything and everything… yet we choose to wallow in worry, fear and frustration anyhow. Don’t let this be said of you. As Pastor Joel Osteen likes to say… be a victor, not a victim. Call on God to strengthen you… be strong and brave. Put on your “superhero cape” of faith and fly with Christ!
©2013 Debbie Robus
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Recently, I made superhero capes and masks for my nephew, Timothy, and our cousin, Owen… both boys are three and a half. You know how this goes… when the superhero dons his/her costume, they are equipped with powers and strengths beyond any human capacity. Evil villains can be conquered… there is no challenge or problem too big – no force too formidable to be overcome. When Timmy and Owen put on their capes and “fly” around the room, they feel invincible. They have no fear… discouragement is not in their vocabularies.
None of us are superheroes… but all of us can wear the cape and mask! We can “put on the full armor of God” and feel His continual presence. We can call on His help in any and all situations. We can be brave and strong, because our strength comes from the LORD. We don’t have to be afraid or discouraged about a single thing.
Please don’t misunderstand me… if something has you worried, frustrated or frightened today, this does not mean you have no faith. If you are discouraged, you are not a bad person. This simply means you are human – and the devil is working hard to pull you over to his side. Call on God to give you superhuman strength. Believe that HE can make the difference… trust Him to help you work through whatever issues you face with courage and hope. Believe that God can – and will – make the difference!
Too many of us know deep in our hearts that God can help us with anything and everything… yet we choose to wallow in worry, fear and frustration anyhow. Don’t let this be said of you. As Pastor Joel Osteen likes to say… be a victor, not a victim. Call on God to strengthen you… be strong and brave. Put on your “superhero cape” of faith and fly with Christ!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for November 29, 2012
Joshua 1:9
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you ever start to feel discouraged or have a pity party, go to your local hospital and sit in the outpatient waiting area for a while. There you will get a real slice of life… patients waiting for chemo treatments…elderly persons who have a myriad of ailments… loved ones waiting in the surgery area while doctors operate on family members and friends…people who are depending on walkers, canes, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and more. Listen to the chatter as these people talk – often candidly – about their treatments, countless visits to doctors and therapists, and the worries and concerns of their day.
Talk about some “Joshua 1:9 ambassadors!” You will hear stories of bravery and strength that will knock your socks off… and probably humble you to your core. I know this is always my reaction. I have waited in this area for doctor visits… and also as an advocate for loved ones. Each time, I come away thinking, “My problems seem so small and insignificant. More importantly, God is handling them for me. I have nothing to fear… no need to be discouraged.”
This very morning, I had allowed some things to pile up on me. I was starting to feel pretty low. Then I opened my outline file of scriptures about frustration and discouragement, and the one I had designated for today was Joshua 1:9. How is that for being brought up short by God?! He very quickly reminded me WHO is in charge here… and it ain’t me!
In this very simple, yet powerful way, God reminded me that I must be strong and brave… never afraid or discouraged. HE is in charge… HE is with me wherever I go… and HE will handle all of my concerns and meet every need. How awesome is that?!
I don’t know what is “on your plate” today. I have no clue what issues trouble or challenge you… what worries and concerns may be weighing you down and bringing you sorrow or alarm. But I do know that this makes the devil very happy to see you so low… and at the same time, it saddens God. He is standing right in front of us saying, “HERE I AM! You have nothing to fear! Pick yourself up and get going. Fill yourself with the comfort and joy of knowing that I have your back… and we’ve.got.this!”
I encourage you to be strong and brave this day… and in the days ahead. Know that God is with you wherever you go… and remember to smile! “This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad!” Psalm 128:24
©2012 Debbie Robus
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If you ever start to feel discouraged or have a pity party, go to your local hospital and sit in the outpatient waiting area for a while. There you will get a real slice of life… patients waiting for chemo treatments…elderly persons who have a myriad of ailments… loved ones waiting in the surgery area while doctors operate on family members and friends…people who are depending on walkers, canes, wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and more. Listen to the chatter as these people talk – often candidly – about their treatments, countless visits to doctors and therapists, and the worries and concerns of their day.
Talk about some “Joshua 1:9 ambassadors!” You will hear stories of bravery and strength that will knock your socks off… and probably humble you to your core. I know this is always my reaction. I have waited in this area for doctor visits… and also as an advocate for loved ones. Each time, I come away thinking, “My problems seem so small and insignificant. More importantly, God is handling them for me. I have nothing to fear… no need to be discouraged.”
This very morning, I had allowed some things to pile up on me. I was starting to feel pretty low. Then I opened my outline file of scriptures about frustration and discouragement, and the one I had designated for today was Joshua 1:9. How is that for being brought up short by God?! He very quickly reminded me WHO is in charge here… and it ain’t me!
In this very simple, yet powerful way, God reminded me that I must be strong and brave… never afraid or discouraged. HE is in charge… HE is with me wherever I go… and HE will handle all of my concerns and meet every need. How awesome is that?!
I don’t know what is “on your plate” today. I have no clue what issues trouble or challenge you… what worries and concerns may be weighing you down and bringing you sorrow or alarm. But I do know that this makes the devil very happy to see you so low… and at the same time, it saddens God. He is standing right in front of us saying, “HERE I AM! You have nothing to fear! Pick yourself up and get going. Fill yourself with the comfort and joy of knowing that I have your back… and we’ve.got.this!”
I encourage you to be strong and brave this day… and in the days ahead. Know that God is with you wherever you go… and remember to smile! “This day belongs to the Lord! Let’s celebrate and be glad!” Psalm 128:24
©2012 Debbie Robus
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